Welcome to Week 1, the healthiest time in the NFL calendar. After the offseason, OTAs and training camps, at least prominent NFL skill players who are our main targets for fantasy football should come into the season at their peak and not battling injuries. Right? Wrong.

It’s football. As Ian Hartitz likes to point out, it’s a game that’s a series of car crashes played with a ball that’s far from round. It makes no sense. Players get hurt in practice, in preseason games, even off the field. So we’re bringing back the Weekly Fantasy Football Injury Report to help you get ready each week. 

Since it’s the first week, we’ll just set up the expectation. We’ll post this article on Thursday evening and update it as needed as Friday inactives are announced. Happy return of football, and may it be a healthy season! At least we can dream.

Fantasy Football Injury Report for Week 1

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)

After a noisy offseason and more missed training camp practices than he actually participated in, Stafford is back at practice and not on the injury report. Looks like that Ammortal chamber that resembled a souped-up RV really seemed to work for him. This is a situation we will follow throughout the season, because the Rams’ offense goes as Stafford goes.

Running Backs

De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins)

Achane missed time recently with a calf injury and he was expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Colts. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and should be able to play. If Achane plays, he’s in your lineup.

Roschon Johnson (Chicago Bears)

Johnson has been dealing with a foot injury since early August and didn’t participate in the walkthrough on Thursday. The Bears will host the Vikings on Monday night, so there’s still time for him to practice. But if he’s out, it allows Kyle Monangai a chance to seize the backup role.

Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)

We made it to about 30 minutes before the Eagles-Cowboys kickoff until we got a negative health report on Christian McCaffrey. Sigh. It's a calf injury that limited him in practice on Thursday. That's cause for concern, as he missed the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis. This injury has to be taken seriously, because of last year's injury, no matter how healthy CMC has been this offseason. We'll keep an eye on this, especially with a 4:05 p.m. ET start on Sunday.

Kyle Monangai (Chicago Bears)

Monangai was limited in the walkthrough on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. With Roschon Johnson missing time with a foot injury, Monangai is in line to start the season as the backup to D'Andre Swift.

Jaylen Wright (Miami Dolphins)

Wright didn’t practice Wednesday and isn’t expected to play against the Colts. Wright had surgery on his right leg in late August and he could miss multiple weeks. Ollie Gordon will be the backup behind De'Von Achane, and could get valuable touches while Wright is out.

Wide Receivers

Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 

Godwin went DNP the first two practices of the week, which appears to be consistent with all the reports that he will likely sit out early games of the season. Wheels are up for Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka in a matchup against the Falcons, who allowed the third most fantasy points per game (35) to WRs last season. Our Fantasy Life Game Model has this game going over the 46.5-point game total. Fire up the main skill players on both teams.

Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)

Hill has been dealing with an oblique injury during training camp and is also dealing with a calf injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. The expectation is Hill will play against the Colts as he aims to rebound off a disappointing season.

Keon Coleman (Buffalo Bills)

While Khalil Shakir put in a full practice on Wednesday coming off a high-ankle sprain, Coleman popped up on the injury report unexpectedly with a groin injury. Coleman returned to practice on Thursday in a limited fashion. Even if Coleman plays, it’s not a good matchup against the Ravens and the game is Sunday night, so have a backup plan if you’re looking to start Coleman.

Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)

Jefferson missed some time during training camp due to a hamstring issue. This needs to be monitored, because in 2023 JJettas missed seven games with a hamstring injury. It could be minor, as HC Kevin O’Connell said, but until Jefferson puts in full practices ahead of the MNF game in Chicago we’ll have to keep an eye on this. He was not on the injury report after Thursday’s practice, so that’s a good sign for him to get off to a healthy start this season.

Jauan Jennings (San Francisco 49ers)

There was some question as to whether Jennings missed time due to his request for a new contract or if the calf injury was real. Jennings returned to practice and was limited to start the week. Kyle Shanahan said he expects Jennings to play. Jennings is a risky play this week after so much missed time.

Quentin Johnston (Los Angeles Chargers)

Johnston is off the injury report, which means he’s recovered from the concussion he suffered in preseason action. He’s not a recommended start, as the WR targets after Ladd McConkey are going to be something to watch to see if QJ, Tre Harris or Keenan Allen gain greater shares of the pie.

Christian Kirk (Houston Texans)

This one was a surprise revealed on Wednesday when Kirk missed practice with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice on Thursday. Kirk is expected to miss Week 1 and possibly longer. Kirk was on the field for two-wide sets in the preseason and was shaping up to be a solid fill-in for suspended players or injured receivers taken later in drafts. With Kirk out, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins could see more time. Noel is likely the replacement for Kirk in the slot.

Marvin Mims (Denver Broncos)

Mims finished the preseason with a groin injury, though he was a full practice participant in the first session on Wednesday. Now we get to see if his increased utilization in the preseason is a sign of things to come. The Titans were No. 2 in fewest receiving yards allowed to WRs, so this might not be a week to start Mims, anyway.

Darnell Mooney (Atlanta Falcons)

Mooney injured his shoulder at the start of training camp and Raheem Morris called him day-to-day to begin the week. Mooney started the week with two limited practices and is expected to be a game-time decision. 

Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers)

Reed is a major concern. He missed most of training camp with a foot injury and is dealing with a Jones fracture that he wants to play through. He didn’t practice Wednesday and was limited on Thursday. Even if he plays, there's a risk he could be limited or not be able to play through pain. Make sure you’re covered with a replacement.

Isaac TeSlaa (Detroit Lions)

The preseason rookie sensation was limited in practice with an illness. Unless you’re in Ian’s 32-team league, you’re probably not thinking of starting TeSlaa. So if you’re monitoring him to see if he’s worth a stash at the end of your bench, should he get off to a slow start this might be why.

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely (Baltimore Ravens)

Likely fractured his foot during training camp and missed the first two practices of the week. He isn’t expected to play Sunday night against the Bills. This gives a slight bump to Mark Andrews, who’s going against the Bills defense that was 13th in receiving yards allowed to TEs.

Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Otton has missed time with a groin injury and was limited in practice Wednesday. He was a full participant on Thursday, putting him on track to play in this potential shootout. 

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